“A prince should have no other object, nor any other thought... but war, its institutions, and its discipline; because that is the only art befitting one who commands.”

When Machiavelli published his treatise on statecraft and princely power in 1532, it sparked a debate that continues even today. Based on his experience as Florence's ambassador to the courts of Europe, The Prince analyzes the often-violent means by which men seize, maintain, and lose political power. Machiavelli brought a keen and clear-eyed realism to one of the principal philosophical and political questions of his time: the relationship between public acts and private morality. His book remains a disturbingly shrewd reflection on the true nature of power, regardless of the era or the person exercising it.

This vivid new translation is accompanied by extensive notes and an introduction that examines The Prince's true purpose and dispels some of the myths associated with it.

Series: Oxford World’s Classics

For over 100 years Oxford World’s Classics has made available the broadest spectrum of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford’s commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

Pages: 192, Dimensions: 12.8x12.8cm